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Mike Shanahan: Wanted to run more in second half

Coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that if punter Josh Bidwell doesn't feel better by Friday, the team will turn to someone else to punt against the Eagles Sunday. He also said he would have a better feel for the conditions of injured players Trent Williams, Chris Horton and Anthony Armstrong Wednesday.

Shanahan said the team was "pretty effective in the first half running the football. ... We didn't run the ball in the second half as much as we would like." He said an injury to starting running back Clinton Portis's wrist affected his decision to use him less in the second half.

After the game, however, Portis said he was healthy.

Shanahan said wideout Devin Thomas, who has barely taken the field except on kick returns, has to play better in practice than the other receivers in front of him on the depth chart. When he does, he'll get more time.

"Shanahan said wideout Devin Thomas, who has barely taken the field except on kick returns, has to play better in practice than the other receivers in front of him on the depth chart. When he does, he'll get more time."

Stuck behind a has-been and a never-was. Ponderous man. Just ponderous.

John Keim on the Coach and how defense led to his downfall in Denver: "Yes. Personnel and defensive staffs never worked in his last several seasons. kept changing. 4 minutes ago via web in reply to seminoleskins87"

John Keim on the Coach and how defense led to his downfall in Denver: "Yes. Personnel and defensive staffs never worked in his last several seasons. kept changing. 4 minutes ago via web in reply to seminoleskins87"

"I think not attempting to run the ball more or using the short pass instead of the run only plays into the other team's hand. There was series in yesterday's game where the Rams did like 5 straight short passes and then gashed the Skins with a run for a TD. They controlled the ball w/o any real threat at WR or RB. That's a template the Skins need to follow particularly with such a porous defense."

Amen, reverend, amen.

The rams lose S Jackson and revert to using short controlled passing on 1st down to get 2nd 4/6.

We can't run the ball, so K Shanahan dials up missed 'bombs' on 1st down that result in 2nd and longs.

(I'm still trying to digest the screen call on 3rd down that resulted in a field goal.)

We have all witnessed some rather odd 3rd quarter playcalling in two consecutive losses.

Our vet quarterback should've been 'dinking and dunking' the ball to control the clock after we got the ball at the start of the half.

If the score is 16-13, who gives up the run/short pass repeatedly looking for the 'go for the throat' deep pass?

C'mon, Kyle, we ain't got no A Johnson in D.C., design stuff Cooley or Davis or Portis coming out of the backfield.

Shanahan said wideout Devin Thomas, who has barely taken the field except on kick returns, has to play better in practice than the other receivers in front of him on the depth chart. When he does, he'll get more time.

By Washington Post editors | September 27, 2010; 3:19 PM ET
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The guy is chewing up a spot on the roster on game day so they need to find some way to use him other than on special teams. Heck, bring him in on running plays because he's a decent blocker, isn't he? Use him as a decoy. Use him for an end around. They need to get something out of the guy.

This is a load. You've fallen for the hype, big time. Go read the Tom Boswell article:

"For years, we've seen these Redskins lose to franchises that are in the midst of horrific multi-year catastrophes. In part, it's because the Redskins receive so much more attention and adulation than they have earned in the last 19 years that the players are seduced into thinking they are significantly better than they are. Maybe all of us, the whole town, is partly to blame. But the team's internal culture of big salaries, fat reputations and past glories (often in other towns), makes it an ideal upset victim.

"When a 6-10 team thinks it's a 10-6 team, this is what happens."

This team is its record: 4-10 last year, 1-2 this year. Keep believing that it's better, more talented, than the Rams. Yesterday proved you wrong.

Posted by: beep-beep

Nobody's saying that this team will win the freakin' East but don't tell me that this isn't a better team than the Rams. I clearly understand where this team is.

The only thing yesterday proved was that Spags and staff did a much better job than Shanny's.

Our vet quarterback should've been 'dinking and dunking' the ball to control the clock after we got the ball at the start of the half.

if he only could, but dirt ball mcnabb can't get that done. maybe try more screens at the right time, but I'd like the ball thrown past the first down marker on third down, not a screen pass or catch and run play short of the marker.

Nobody's saying that this team will win the freakin' East but don't tell me that this isn't a better team than the Rams. I clearly understand where this team is.

The only thing yesterday proved was that Spags and staff did a much better job than Shanny's.

Posted by: dcwun | September 27, 2010 3:50 PM

No you clearly don't. A horrible Rams team beat this team last year too. I drink the kool aid as much as anyone but you are just as snowblind as Danny if you think many of these players are worth a sh!t.

The only thing yesterday proved was that Spags and staff did a much better job than Shanny's.

Posted by: dcwun | September 27, 2010 3:50 PM

A coach once said of Bear Bryant that "He could take his 'em and beat your 'em or he could take your 'em and beat his 'em." I really doubt that Spags could take the team Shanahan coached yesterday and beat the Rams.

I'm going with Boswell's view that the people who think like you -- that our team is more talented -- are delusional. This team is way deficient in talent. It has been for a while and when people arrive here with talent they think they're entitled to win with minimal effort.

Because he was a second round pick and he's entitled to play? Come on, he's just like the rest of them. He has to earn his playing time and he's not doing it in practice.

Posted by: beep-beep | September 27, 2010 3:48 PM

Sic 'em beep.

Posted by: smokeybear2

Please....
Some athletes are fine until the lights come on. Williams is practice player. Devin showed glimpses of what he could do last year with a McNabb behind center. Play him, after all, we are building for the future right?

The 2nd half offensive play calling is bad but not as bad as the personnel they are using for the calls.

Portis has surely lost a step but still is heads and shoulders better than some guy off the practice squad.

Every game they have used him sparingly in the 2nd half. It almost hurt against Dallas. Portis cuts back up the middle for 15 yards. Johnson comes in and runs 2 yards and out of bounds stopping the clock.

Johnson gets the carries against Texas and that turns to ridiculousness. Then in the 3rd quarter Torain gets the carries and later missed some key blocks in pass protection. Portis is the only back with TDs in the red zone but let's give the other guys some tries anyhow. Portis was getting 8 yards a carry for 'resting' him.

Moe, you know that as your #1 fan I take your word as gospel. However, in my view any discussion of Kyle Shanahan, play calling, the class of 2008 or any offensive issue today is totally misplaced. That clusterf*** yesterday and the one last week had nothing to do with offense.

Right now, it is all about defense. I've been a Skins fan since before I moved here in '75. I have watched nearly every down since then. I don't remember ever seeing a Skins defense this bad. In three full games, they have stopped anyone. Dallas was only stopped by its own errors.

Everyone is talking about the failures on third down. You don't even have to go that far. They are being chewed up on every down. Teams are moving the ball at will in every situation.

This is an historically ugly Skins defense, Moe. They had better change something and fast. It is particularly frustrating since the offense finally looks semi-competent.

Because he was a second round pick and he's entitled to play? Come on, he's just like the rest of them. He has to earn his playing time and he's not doing it in practice.

Posted by: beep-beep | September 27, 2010 3:48 PM
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NO. I am not saying he should get preferential treatment. I am just questioning the true motive here when a guy like Austin can't make the regular roster because he doesn't play teams, but DT can make the roster because ALL he does is play teams. I thought the whole point here was to get guys that could contribute as much as possible. I think the operative phrase Shanahan used started with, "the more you can do"... Seems like using DT at wide receiver - even if as a decoy - would support that philosophy.

"We just want to see the same kind of clever approaches for CC, FD, SM, and whomever else we have on offense, is all.

Posted by: MistaMoe"

And I'd say we've already seen it. That's why Santana is 5th in the NFL in receiving right now, Chris Cooley is 5th in receiving among all TEs, and Fred Davis has a season long 62 yard reception on his hands.

I really don't get the complaints about KShanahan's deep passing game. He's turning Moss into a top 5 WR, Cooley into a top 5 TE, and Davis into one of the best back-up TEs in the league. And none of them are the caliber of Andre Johnson.

We beat the Cowsh!ts and they are supposedly better than the Skins, right? Skins beat them in individual battles more often, particularly on D. CowSh!t fans blame coaching--check they blogs, if you got time--as we should here too, but not completely.

I'm going with Boswell's view that the people who think like you -- that our team is more talented -- are delusional. This team is way deficient in talent. It has been for a while and when people arrive here with talent they think they're entitled to win with minimal effort.

Posted by: beep-beep

Again, I know this team isn't a playoff team and I clearly understand the holes with this group.

This is about 1 game against the Rams. We won't go into many games where we have better talent but this was one of them.

It's easy to draw up thangs when A Johnson is at the other end of the passing play M Schaub starts.

We just want to see the same kind of clever approaches for CC, FD, SM, and whomever else we have on offense, is all.

Posted by: MistaMoe | September 27, 2010 3:56 PM | Report abuse

Right now Santana is on pace for 115+ catches and 1500+yds receiving.

Posted by: PortisPocketsStr8 | September 27, 2010 4:07 PM
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Not too shabby, but unless another receiver rises, teams are going to start realizing the key to stopping this offense is to double Moss and put a safety on Cooley. They won't be anywhere near as productive in the second half of the season unless someone else steps up.

No you clearly don't. A horrible Rams team beat this team last year too. I drink the kool aid as much as anyone but you are just as snowblind as Danny if you think many of these players are worth a sh!t.

Posted by: scampbell1975

No, they didn't. It was the horrible Zoran led team that beat them before losing to the Lions.

Because in the game, playing with Roydell Williams was like playing 10 on 11.

Posted by: psps23 | September 27, 2010 3:31 PM

I can't believe that Torain out performed both CP and K Williams while on the practice squad, yet he got most of the reps yesterday when the game was in doubt. This is again coachspeak. Dunno what DT has done to stay in HC Shanny's doghouse but he can't be any worse than R Williams on gameday.

Our vet quarterback should've been 'dinking and dunking' the ball to control the clock after we got the ball at the start of the half.

if he only could, but dirt ball mcnabb can't get that done. maybe try more screens at the right time, but I'd like the ball thrown past the first down marker on third down, not a screen pass or catch and run play short of the marker.

Posted by: hessone | September 27, 2010 3:51 PM | Report abuse

so New Soup shouldve done what Old Soup got run outta town for? Mm hmmm

Because in the game, playing with Roydell Williams was like playing 10 on 11.

Posted by: psps23 | September 27, 2010 3:31 PM

I can't believe that Torain out performed both CP and K Williams while on the practice squad, yet he got most of the reps yesterday when the game was in doubt. This is again coachspeak. Dunno what DT has done to stay in HC Shanny's doghouse but he can't be any worse than R Williams on gameday.

Posted by: TWISI | September 27, 2010 4:15 PM
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I totally understand DT's lack of consistency keeping him from being used consistently, but the guy has to be active on game day to return kicks. Seems like a waste to have him active and not use him for something: decoy, run blocker, end around, etc...

A coach once said of Bear Bryant that "He could take his 'em and beat your 'em or he could take your 'em and beat his 'em." I really doubt that Spags could take the team Shanahan coached yesterday and beat the Rams.

I'm going with Boswell's view that the people who think like you -- that our team is more talented -- are delusional. This team is way deficient in talent. It has been for a while and when people arrive here with talent they think they're entitled to win with minimal effort.

Posted by: beep-beep

Not saying that Spags is a better coach but I don't know that I would say that St. Louis has better talent than Washington. Their #1 receiver was cast off from the Ravens. They started a rookie QB in his third game. Their Oline may be just as bad as the Redskins. Their defense does not have any play makers.

This is one of only a handful of teams on the schedule where the Skins have equal or greater talent. There is no excuse losing to this team.

Not too shabby, but unless another receiver rises, teams are going to start realizing the key to stopping this offense is to double Moss and put a safety on Cooley. They won't be anywhere near as productive in the second half of the season unless someone else steps up.

Posted by: RedSkinHead | September 27, 2010 4:12 PM | Report abuse

No doubt RSH, I think others will get involved. Takes some time with a new QB and installing a new offense.

I was just pointing out that through 3 games something is working for Santana and I think K.Shanahan deserves some credit for that.

I totally understand DT's lack of consistency keeping him from being used consistently, but the guy has to be active on game day to return kicks. Seems like a waste to have him active and not use him for something: decoy, run blocker, end around, etc...

Posted by: RedSkinHead | September 27, 2010 4:18 PM

Exactly. I'd also like to ask which WR has been performing consistently on gameday? At very least rotate him in and see what he can do. This team is going to be in whole heap of trouble once Moss goes down with his seasonal hammy.

The Rams found a substitute for their running game based off the defense we were playing. An aggressive blitzing scheme with a soft secondary lends itself to the short, quick passing game. That's what we were defending with. That's not how the Rams were defending.

With the defense the Rams were playing, the weakness was over the top. They were playing tight and aggressive in the secondary, which allowed Moss, Davis, and even Galloway to get behind the defense on multiple occasions. That's how we entered the red zone, that's how we put points on the board.

No you clearly don't. A horrible Rams team beat this team last year too. I drink the kool aid as much as anyone but you are just as snowblind as Danny if you think many of these players are worth a sh!t.

Posted by: scampbell1975

No, they didn't. It was the horrible Zoran led team that beat them before losing to the Lions.

Anyway, Shanny was supposed to make a difference.

Posted by: dcwun | September 27, 2010 4:14 PM |

Oh, you're right. We beat them 9-7 at home. Maybe not a loss but surely a team playing to it's talent level. Shanahan will make a difference, as soon as he gets some talent here. We don't have it now.

With the defense the Rams were playing, the weakness was over the top. They were playing tight and aggressive in the secondary, which allowed Moss, Davis, and even Galloway to get behind the defense on multiple occasions. That's how we entered the red zone, that's how we put points on the board.

Posted by: psps23 | September 27, 2010 4:27 PM

Indeed. But don't forget that the run was clicking in the 1st half as well. Seems as though they were intent on taking Cooley and Davis out of the game to make the Skins beat them with the run or bomb.

What is Shanahan thinking with some of these personnel decisions? Devin Thomas showed some promise last year. Can't they use him for a reverse on occasion? Its puzzling because the number two receiver was hurt and they didn't use him last game.

what are the players who are in front of d. thomas doing in the REAL GAMES? galloway 1 long catch r. williams(?) the receiver who dropped a touchdown in the end-zone against cowboys(?). shanahan is highly overrated and dumb the wide outs he uses do almost nothing and he is still crying that thomas must do better in practice. look for a azz whupping from vick with the eagles.

Some athletes are fine until the lights come on. Williams is practice player. Devin showed glimpses of what he could do last year with a McNabb behind center. Play him, after all, we are building for the future right?

Posted by: dcwun | September 27, 2010 4:01 PM | Report abuse

We should be...but we're not. And that to me, is the most frustrating thing. I can forgive a bunch of Rookies making the kind of mistakes we saw on both sides of the ball yesterday. No way will I be so forgiving towards a bunch of seasoned vets.

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